Summary:Dogs that growl at other dogs, lunge at people and bark at everything are often labeled “aggressive.” Such fear-based behavior is more appropriately called “reactivity” and these dogs can be helped with the exercises in this book. Well-illustrated with photos.

Price:$19.95

Expanded Description:

When dogs growl at other dogs, lunge at people and bark at everything it's often mislabeled as “aggression.” But behavior that looks like aggression is often fear-based and should be treated as such. The appropriate term for this constellation of behaviors is “reactivity.”

This book helps dog owners and trainers to understand the reactive dog and help him change for the better. The process is easy to grasp, and once the changes begin to take shape, owners become so encouraged that improving their dog's behavior suddenly becomes fun and exciting! If your dog can't pay attention to you in public places, doesn't behave like a good member of the family when guests visit, and looses control when other dogs are nearby, this book has a lot to offer.

All training methods and classroom techniques are non-force and based on developing a ‘working relationship’ with your dog. Easy to read and understand, 148 pages, with 68 photographs and graphics to help you improve behavior and solve problems.

This 2009 edition includes more specific examples, and more and better photos to give you a better idea of what to look for and how to handle your reactive dog.You will learn:
• Easy to read and implement how-to book on fearful and reactive dogs
• Many pictures to illustrate key points
• Originally published in 2004, and revised and expanded in 2009
• How to develop a simple program addressing the stimuli which cause fear

Scaredy Dog addresses a very common issue in pet dogs today. Ali’s user friendly book is chock full of effective ways to work with a reactive dog.Terry Ryan, Author of The Toolbox for Building a Great Family Dog

Author Ali Brown, CPDT, is currently on the Board of Directors of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers. Ali became one of the first 100 trainers to receive her CPDT title (Certified Pet Dog Trainer) from Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT). She became a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). Ali is also the author of Focus Not Fear - Training Insights from a Reactive Dog Class. She lives in Eastern PA.

Probably one of the best, if not the best, books I have read on reactivity and aggression. This book is very comprehensive and looks at all of the surrounding aspects involved in proper management and rehabilitation of fearful / reactive / aggressive dogs, including body language, health, nutrition, effects of stress on training, training methods, calming techniques, and of course training strategies for helping your dog overcome their reactivity.

This book is perfect for those who are struggling with their dog's issues and don't know what to do. Brown really takes readers by the hand, reassures them, and lays the groundwork for effective rehabilitation. I wish I had picked up a copy of this book years ago when my girl first started showing signs of aggression- oh the humiliation, tears, and aggravation we could have avoided! Still, after several books and years of research, I learned some great new ideas and information. If you own a reactive/aggressive/fearful dog, this should be the first book you get IMO. I also highly recommend Grisha Stewart's Behavior Adjustment Training for in-depth training strategies, as well as Pam Dennison's Bringing Light To Shadow, which was extremely helpful for me in understanding clearly what an effective rehab program / strategy looks like for a human-aggressive dog.

invaluable, November 16, 2010

Reviewer: Tamara Dormer

As a professional dog trainer, one of the things that is hardest for me to explain to people when working with fearful dogs is to go slowly, as slow as the dog needs. This book not only has several great training ideas to help a reactive dog, but is also explicit in how slow you may need to go to really help the dog. Anyone with a fearful/reactive dog should have this book on their shelf!

wonderfully helpful, June 6, 2009

Reviewer: Shanna Jones

This book has many insightful tips that have helped me with my reactive dog. Ali Brown's method of writing really enabled me to break down my dog's behavior into manageable sessions when I thought I might just be in over my head. It is a very empowering experience to get a handle on an overwhelming situation and start making noticable headway towards a well-behaved, balanced dog. This book touches on the majority of situations that I was having trouble with and is a good starting point for gaining understanding and control.